Old Trafford pulled out a banner for club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club enters the Ralf Rangnick era. However, Old Trafford did not like the start of the game.
Mikel Arteta’s men began the game pressing aggressively. A win would see them leapfrog Westham into fourth place. BIzarrely, they took the lead. Fred had seemingly fouled David de Gea after a corner-kick was played. De Gea dropped to the floor, allowing Emile smith Rowe to put the ball into an empty net before the referee Martin Atkinson stopped play. DDG received medical attention, and confusion ensued. However, after a four-minute delay, VAR confirmed the goal. Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal.
After going ahead, the Gunners ceded possession and control to United. They allowed United back in. The Gunners kept them at bay until intricate passing, precision, and a well-placed finish leveled matters. Slipped in by Fred, who was trying to atone for being clumsy earlier on, Bruno Fernandes marked his 100th appearance for the club and ended his 15 games goal drought with a well-placed finish into the bottom corner before halftime. Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal.
Arteta and his men were frustrated to go in level at the break as they could not keep the intensity they started with.
Whatever the managers said at the halftime interval certainly worked a treat as the second half sparked into life. De Gea produced a brilliant reflex save to deny Gabriel before Ramsdale parried Ronaldo’s close-range shot to safety.
Not long after Cristiano Ronaldo reached his milestone by guiding in a cutback from Marcus Rashford. Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
The lead was short-lived. Martin Odegaard slotted into the far corner from a Gabriel Martinelli cutback. Bit of deja vu for as the goal was Almost similar to the one they had just conceded. Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal
The Norwegian star quickly went from hero to villain. After consulting VAR, Martin Atkinson awarded a penalty for Odegaard’s reckless and ill-timed tackle on Fred. Ronaldo slotted down the middle, and the Theatre of Dreams sparked went head over heels.
Victory for United means they are now two points behind Arsenal. The gunners will be looking to bounce back against Everton at the weekend. Michael Carrick’s time as caretaker manager could not have ended in a better way with two wins and a draw from three games. United will take on Crystal Palace, but this time, with Ralf Ragnick in the dugouts. Michael Carrick has announced that he is leaving Manchester United.
